Pat Kirwan article - Last year's playoff teams problems

**Muggsy** · 05-24-2005, 06:47 PM

This is an article from NFL.com on what some of the losing teams in last year's playoffs have done to correct their problems. You can read the whole article here:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8498118

Since I only care for the purple, here is what Mr. Kirwan wrote about us.
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The Vikings were the most aggressive team in the free-agency market and could have as many as five new starters on defense. With the additions of defensive tackle Pat Williams and linebackers Napoleon Harris and Sam Cowart, there is very little chance the Vikes will be anywhere near the 28th-ranked defense again in 2005.

When Minnesota does force opponents to passing situations, their nickel defense could feature a pass rush with Kenechi Udeze, Kevin Williams, Darrion Scott and Erasmus James. That's enough pure pass rush that defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell may not have to blitz extra players. The secondary has been strengthened with free safety Darren Sharper and corner Fred Smoot. With Brian Williams as the third corner, Minnesota can match up with any team and get off the field.

My guess is the Minnesota defense finishes up the 2005 season closer to the 10th-ranked defense in the league. They have done all that can be expected in one offseason.
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Nothing you perhaps haven't heard before, but nice to hear. Mr. Kirwan is speculating that Brian Williams will end his holdout, I suppose. Anyway, nice to see good things being written about us for a change.

**gpless05** · 05-24-2005, 07:21 PM

ya, i think that he was really rounding his figures out when he said around 10th in defense. i think he ment 1st!

**ryanmurphy** · 05-24-2005, 07:57 PM

I have a $100 bet with my brother that our D will rank in the top 5. (The dumb a$$ is a Lions fan)

**VKG4LFE** · 05-24-2005, 08:18 PM

I'll take a top ten 10 and a top 5 offense! That would be perfect, and would get us a lot of W's!

**canadian_vikes_fan** · 05-24-2005, 08:23 PM

Great news

Something that made me even more happy came afterwards when he was talking about the Packers:

"I know they need more help in the well-documented pass-defense area, where they gave up 33 touchdown passes (three more than Favre threw for the offense), but I still feel they are vulnerable to the run. Grady Jackson isn't getting any younger, there is no help from the first day of the draft and free agency didn't provide an impact player or much quality depth for the front seven.

I'm not sure the Pack can rise much from the 25th spot, but maybe a late free-agent signing at defensive tackle could add depth. The Chiefs found out the hard way last year that just changing coordinators on defense does not solve all the defensive woes."

I don't think anyone in the NFC North can come close to challenging them this year.